It’s so nice to know that these 130 countries are out looking for our health and welfare. The lead in to the article shows their concern… this is important because of its health concerns, right?

Brief

Countries negotiate anti-smuggling tobacco treaty

GENEVA (AP) — About 130 countries have begun negotiations on a treaty to fight large-scale tobacco smuggling, which is blamed for encouraging smoking, officials of the World Health Organization said Friday.

An initial five-day meeting this week helped present the scope of the problem that is costing governments billions of dollars in lost taxes and undermines efforts to prevent smoking-related diseases, said Ian Walton-Georges, who chaired the gathering under the auspices of WHO.

The sponsors hope to have a treaty completed by 2010. It would be an addition to an existing anti-smoking treaty, the 2005 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has 152 state signatories.

Notice there isn’t much ado about the health concerns with exception of the very minor “smoking related diseases” line? Like many government issues, this isn’t about the health and welfare of the people. These countries can care less if people are smoking and dying. In fact if people stopped smoking these countries would be even more in debt, why do I say this?… read on

Customs authorities seize large amounts of smuggled cigarettes, but it is mostly unclear who is behind the smuggling and what transport routes are used.

Illegal tobacco trade accounts for about 10% of global tobacco sales and costs governments between $40 billion and $50 billion in lost tax revenue per year, according to the Framework Convention Alliance, a coalition of more than 300 campaign groups.

40-50 BILLION in loss tax revenue…. and thats only 10% of the generated revenue from taxes on tobacco so what are we talking about 360 BILLION in taxes gathered by governments every year… the double edge sword, the government pays out for ads to get people to quit smoking with one hand and turns around and hopes people don’t stop so they can gather up money it didn’t do anything to earn with the other hand.